Michael Rabin plays Zigeunerweisen op. 20

[hi123456789011]

how do you call this "no depth, no volume..."???

rabin is probably the most underrated violinist ever

this song drew me into listening to the rest of his music

bravo rabin!!

[yegenek]

So what's the connection with Virtua Fighter?

[Bluetooth6483]

What an idiocy to compare Rabin and Heifetz! Rabin carried a young man's problems with him - and succumbed to them. Playing like Heifetz takes a whole life's experience. And he started recording in 1918, sir!!!

[utopiandesign]

The legacy of Michael Rabin should never under any circumstances be belittled, either by comparing Mr. Rabin to Heifetz or any other musical genius. And those who gave thumbs down, we'll just view them as Satan worshippers. In the studio Mr. Rabin always nailed it the first time - to the studio musicians applause. Also, while he studied with Ivan Galamian @ Meadowmount he would help Mrs. Lalonde run her gas station by doing mechanical tasks for customers. All around a decent sort!

[Alegrias23]

I never like the idea to turn performing arts into competitive sports. All I know is this piece has brought me to my knees.

[metropolsynodgoc]

It's a great performance, no doubt, from a very talented musician... But... Heifetz's performance, is unbeatable, for many reasons.

First of all he recorded 20 years prior to Rabin, man this is a huge disadvantage! Despite of this, he produces a much more vibrant and resonant feeling, which is an astonishing achievement! As for his pizzicatto's, are full of imagination, not just performed by fingertips, but by his whole soul!

Rabin was a talented violonist. But Heifetz, was THE Violonist!

[gnatural]

@metropolsynodgoc This makes no sense wht u just said.

[moshiko7701]

how ever says he plays better then heifetz i dont argue they both play a "wounder bear"" i personally prefer heifetz although i love m.rabin BRAVOO

[stephenjoeagi]

One should not be embarassed to shed a few tears when listening to Michael Rabin. His gorgeous sound virtuosity, and impeccable musical taste has haunted me since I saw the movie 'Rhapsody' where he dubbed Vittorio Gasman playing the violin, almost 60 years ago. We should be grateful for the existence of these recordings.

[crazy77town]

come on all of you guys....stop comparing all the time with Heifetz as if he is the ultimate violinst!!!

He was great indeed, with a great nature in speed and clear passages, BUT the sound was as if the wind blows..... no depth, no volume, no man's brutality! heifetz maximum would play mf

for me just overrated!

[leoncioviolin]

RABIN GRANDE

[MrIronBunz]

It is hard to say... But he does have a better recording than Heifetz, but I am basing this on the fact that his left hand pizzacato was incredible

[pettymolly]

i play violin. played since i was 3. As for this i might as well hacked on a stump of wood in comparison. True genious.

[TimeStrider]

I've heard most of the other renditions of this piece here and as far as I'm concerned Rabin OWNS this piece!

[tskrobola]

I thought Heifetz had the best recording of this piece, boy was I wrong. This is even better...I did not think that was possible. His pizzicato is completely seamless, absolutely rhythmic and tonally perfect...incredible!

[IlyaMrKim]

very good playing))))))

very good quanity)))))

[barzoku]

Amazing !

[barzoku]

Amazing ! :S

[lokavidu1]

聽音效時會產生安靜的思維。

[Violincrazy]

This is the best recording of this piece

[artielon]

Just finished taking in the 10th Sibelius violin  competition and after that this recording: They were good - this is memorable!

[andreaandrewmilnefan]

Two dislikes? Are you fucking shitting me? Who the fuck are those couple of demagogues? Worthless provocateurs.

[hi123456789011]

@andreaandrewmilnefan

lol, misclicks or mouse twitches

[artielon]

' love Michael - the "bel canto" touch - the tone - the finest recording!

[operalament]

He has always moved me tremendously. My teacher was delighted when I told her I think he was the greatest violinst

[grantmusic]

So Amazing and musical!

[jettviolin]

I'm falling in love with the slower tempo...it gave me chills and is making me tear up.

[5starcomment]

there are much better versions than heifetz'...gil shaham's and issac stern's to name two...

[tristan01101]

@5starcomment .. anne sophie.. :x

[ShihaSato]

If Michael Rabin had lived longer, Devil would have tried hard to worsen his sound through wealth or fame, before the earthliness of mankind had been put to an end by the enlightenment of the genius. Maybe God forced him to return to heaven to keep this ordinary world going.

[issssa632]

Too bad this great genius had to leave here in such the silly manner that he did. No one else can be greater.

[Jettmusica93]

@issssa632 How did he die?

[RevoltingRudi]

@Jettmusica93 he was on alcohol like medication and slipped out on slippery floor. banging his head on a chair an died with a broken head at age 35.

yeah home is a dangerous place.

[behrangism1]

its so prefect

[Bachismydiety]

WONDERFUL sound! He really captures the pathos, gypsy character. Although it is slightly too slow for my taste. Sarasate himself said it should feel like an improvisation, constantly in a feeling of movement ad lib.

Nevertheless, truly beautiful interpretation, he makes me want to cry!

[fishpig20]

seriously I bet Heifetz breathed a sigh of relief when this guy died.

[Fastopen]

@fishpig20 Yes I think the same. Rabin could be a serious competitor of Jasha

[nvsmp]

His left hand pizzicato is for me, wonderful

Good song

[nvsmp]

Beautifull vibrato, I love this song.

[TheMusic1ful]

Played with so much passion!

Loved it!

[magnet23454]

rabi'ns ziheunerweisen rendtion is not as romantic as jascha heifetz's. also the sound in this video is not as crystal clear as of rabin's other videos.mukundan/abu dhabi/13 jan 2009

[poseuresque]

anne sophie mutter? what an asinine thing to say. "imho"

[legman36]

Yeah, Mutter is terrific but she couldn't hold a candle to Rabin. I've heard her 'Zig' and it's not even in the same ballpark as Rabin's version. Just my opinion though!

[mspadino]

Poesia, poesia pura! che purezza il suo suono! mai sgarbato ma potente e penetrante come pochi..affascinante il suo fraseggio!

[mrjarolino]

The fast part is the best ever played- clean and full of energy!!! The plucking is amazing and straight,,,wow I will listen it again- unreachable.....

[annuna]

Holy shit, that plucking was flawless and so clean at 8:45!

[alespedros]

solsidoremifasolsidoremifasols­idoremifasolsido mi.... puoi sentirle tutte chiaramente... wooow!!

[seaknight500]

I find the richness and power as well as his technical percision even while playing at extraordinary speeds make itzhak perlman's version better played than this one. BUT rabin was a master and always will be

[calloffthedogs]

Itzy's intonation isnt as good. This is faster. Listen again.

[TannenNinja]

I admire this rendition for it's crispness. the orchestra is right one with Rabin. It's very impressive.

[bellphegor]

heifetz and rabin are by far the gratest musicians and this is a piece that they made it very nice... the best performance ever... they kind of look alike...

[wambui37]

to bellphegor

I am completely of your opinion, however i find the sound even nicer with Heifetz and his technik even better!

but only a little

[legman36]

@wambui37 I've heard the Heifetz version and though it's brilliant it's not on the same level as Rabin's playing. I once met someone who went to Juilliard and who's fellow violinists were almost unamimous about Rabin being a superior technician on the violin, but of course everyone has their own opinions on this.

[wambui37]

@legman36

I can read it, as well as I am a big fan of "Heifetz", you are a fan of Rabin. This is OK.

The most important one is, it is a very good music and it are very good violinists. The rest is a taste thing.

[chazzunusmaven]

Are there any videos of Michael playing anything other than the Fritz Kreisler piece, video of him playing other than just audio. If so plz let me know.

[Askeer]

By far the BEST performance of that work!!!

[calloffthedogs]

Heifetz owns the piece.

[aria099]

im sorry, but this is one of the pieces that heifetz is surpassed in...

Rabin is MUCH MUCH more cleaner and technically accurate

[calloffthedogs]

Im not arguing the point that Rabin was one of the all time greats. (He also had the best trill Ive ever heard.) His playing was not cleaner than Heifetz though, not in this piece or others.

[legman36]

Agreed!!!

[Nightsurf59]

The discussion is moot because Sophie has surpassed them both IMHO. We can of course disagree.

[TheSingingViolinist]

where most people rush, Rabin takes the time to show to true beauty of this piece. I love this rendition!!

[cattleman6420012000]

Michael Rabin was an incredible violinist. What a shame he died so young. He had one of the greatest talents ever.

[osmixmk]

Really ravishing!!! The best interpretation in my opinion. It´s my favourite.

[zexsii]

he truly know to play violin! greate

[rapter9800]

Godly left-hand pizzicato

[themusicdr]

superb rendition.

i see what ppl are referring to re fearsome pizzicatto

[paulostroff99]

Amazing! If he is not in the top 10 violinists ever,then I'd like to know who is! Glorious.Bravo!

[MikeDrewYT]

This is amazing. He absolutely owns the style & character of this piece.

[terrestial63]

Thank you!!! fav.

[cjh37878]

I honestly preferred Heifetz's performance, but I'm not someone who sticks to the music 100%. This recording is the most like the one recording of Sarasate himself playing the piece.

[aarazra]

As I understand it, one of my teachers actually performed with him before he died, and I was told by him that Michael had seizures and also phobias- one was that he was afraid of falling off the stage, and often during rehearsal he would start out where he needed to be but would work his way back on the stage. I can't confirm that, but my teacher was in the Nat'l Symphony and I recall asking him about Rabin due to the sheer excellence and guts of his playing.

[dxhaloxc]

i always feel gil shaham's sounds the best, in technical accuracy and interpretation.

i have a feeling it has a lot to do with audio quality though.

[manuelbb41]

Michael Rabin played Zigeunerweisen better than Heifetz!

[wambui37]

@manuelbb41

If this is your opinion, this is OK, but this is of course a taste thing.

I find "Heifetz" better, above all the tempo, but  this is also a taste thing.

[gibsonpaddy]

@manuelbb41 Not a chance

[tristan01101]

@manuelbb41 That he did! But I believe Anne Sophie Mutter played Zigeunerweisen better than Michael Rabin.. =/ You're welcome to differ, there

[mingyfrog]

@manuelbb41 WRONG!

[legman36]

Gil Shaham is a great violinist, and I respect others' opinions who feel otherwise, but IMO he is no Rabin.

[bashee3]

Gil Shaham's zigeunerwiesn is the better. this is great, but shaham's musicality and technique are still the best.

[legman36]

Rabin had one of the most dazzling staccato's and the most powerful left-hand pizzicato I've ever heard. In other versions of this piece I've never heard the left-hand pizzicato near the end played as brilliantly as Rabin played it here.

[wambui37]

@legman36 This is your opinion and this is OK. I find "Heifetz" better. Just the left hand from heifetz is unequalled!!!

[wambui37]

@legman36

I forgot to mention, "M.Rabin" is of course a brilliant violinist, only the play manner of "Heifetz" touches me even more.

[fuaktarded61]

@legman36 its not just the most powerful, but theyre placed so perfectly while hes playing that fast...something i can only dream of doing @_@

[OEDBrowser]

@legman36 Rabin is in ! Heifetz company ! on this one !! absolutely brilliant! Genius Incarnate !! What a terrible loss to the violin world !!!

[DualThunder]

@legman36 now that you mention it, yeah his left hand pizz is incredible. I think rabin is totally under rated.. i know a lot of violinists who havent even heard of him

[TimeStrider]

@DualThunder Yes it's sad, but then I guess that's what happens when you die young.

[pavobaxter]

@legman36 listen to kogan playing paganini nel cor più non mi sento

[TimeStrider]

@pavobaxter I have - and I haven't fully recovered yet!

[damgiuri]

our violinists shaham or rabin or others have not this incredible sound!!!

[kok007kok]

The best Zigeunerweisen I have ever heard!!!

[kok007kok]

The best Zigeunerweisen I have ever heard!!!

[BigCheezyOne]

Is Rabin missing a note at 3:36? I don't hear the left hand plucked D. I mean, the whole piece is a cadenza, so I suppose it's fine, but I thought it was a little odd...

That having been said, this is my favorite Zigeunerweisen of all time :)

[zxztom]

i thought the same, does the fact that he's a left-hand excuses that? anyhow the last past is the most "crisp" i've heard, even "crispier" than Gil Shaham; i personally think Mutter has more finesse though not as powerful as Babin's piece thus not as "crispy"

[zxztom]

by "thought the same", i meant i also felt Babin missed a beat @ 3:36

[OriginalMoonbeam]

Wonderful!

[unclePTM]

so sincere, so pure, so wonderful...

[ipril]

check vasa prihoda zigeunerweisen. it is gooooood!

[michaelrabinthebest]

Best performance of Sarasate's Zigueunerweisen

1-Rabin

2-Milstein

3-Heifetz

[nviob]

Best performance of Sarasate's Zigueunerweisen

1- Gil shaham

2-Rabin

listen to Gil shaham performance .

[cheeseprata123]

Yes! Gil Shaham's Zigueunerweisen is one of the best ones i heard

[takamori400]

I love Gil Shaham's Carmen best.

[takamori400]

I like Gil Shaham. I also like Munuhin's Zigeuerweisen. Perlman is good as well.

[vernicus151]

Really amazing. Pity the recording of Sarasate himself isn't good enough to properly illustrate how he played it, as opposed to the later performers.

[lilHeifetz]

Tragic that he died so young... With recordings like this, who knows what he could have done even 5 years down the road.

[fuaktarded61]

theres insane left hand pizzicato in this piece...I heard it played in a recital so i looked it up. The person that played in the recital made me feel bad and this made me feel worse lol

[Kyriaeus]

I'm pretty sure he meant that the pizzicato was done so well that he felt envious/jealous of it.

[jepdez]

yeah you ignorant twit

[kevaughn1030]

successful troll is successful! :D

[prodigyboy10]

Micheal Rabin is so good! What a pity that he died so early. I heard there was this other guy who was just like him, a wonderful violinist at a young age and had a mental crash and never played again.

[chazzunusmaven]

The other young violinist was Yosef Hassid who was diagnosed at age 26 with Schizophrenia, a very debilitating mental disorder, underwent a lobotomy, whereby they removed the front part of his brain, and he died as a result of complications of the surgery. You can search on YT for videos of Hassid.

[xiaoleideng]

I really love the first half of his playing, but prefer Mischa Elman's interpretation for the second half. Just personal taste of music though, technically, Rabin is awesome!

[lolmanerik]

maybe the best ever

[FEQIA]

I thought he was 12 when he played this version

[theViolinDreamer]

Listening to this ,I feel chills in my arms.i can't believe it is real.This is what I was looking for .His music is coming from a rich heart. Directly from his heart.I have never heart such a beautiful sound!

[billyguns2]

He would have been acknowledged as the world's greatest violinist had he lived, the true successor to Heifetz. I heard that he committed suicide to spite his hateful, domineering mother; can anyone confirm or deny this? Terrible if true...

[zhengyingli]

Didn't he trip and hit his head?

[gaedry]

yep

[BigCheezyOne]

There is a good biography out on Michael Rabin. He did fall and die that way, but there was much more to it than that, as he had been suffering from alcohol and drug addiction due to the stress of practicing so much. His domineering mother was a large part of his suicide yes.

[DrumcarsFinest]

That is correct !. Anthony Feinstein iis the author and he being a psychiatrist gives a very detailed analysis of his problems

[DualThunder]

LEGEND.

[Waeweas]

Hmmm... I really can't decide who played Zigeunerweisen better, him or perlman. I thought Rabin played the beginning much better but I think Perlman played the allegro much clearer

[cheetos4me]

He had such a great career set up for him. Talent, fame, ... Sometimes it makes me wonder how depressed you have to be to make you want to commit suicide. Can't imagine

[CampanellaDaemon]

i can wonder. p.s did he commit suicide? i thought he died from a nervous disorder or affliction of some sort

[DualThunder]

i thought he had a mental condition that affected the life of his brain..

[JairoADeZ]

The most sensitive, expressive, colour rich interpretationI have ever heard. God bless his soul.

[goritojr]

simplemente hermoso..........

[dmelkumo]

YES!

[AntiAssassin]

best zigeunerweisen imo

[l88QBZQk]

This is the only violin solo that makes me cry.

[Kcohlorskyfo]

i see two gods....

[tyKi27]

if you can pickup the CD made by COLUMBIA records with some paganini's on there and such...track 20 is the Zigeunerweisen...amazingly...t­his CD is him playing when he was just 16...and the recording he has on this CD of Zigeunerweisen is even better then this one...and he's just 16...absolutely amazing his musicianship...and hes sense of style...just amazing...a shame he died the way he did

[uhsayer]

his entrance was kind of flat, but overall, he has done the best playing this piece

[violaplayer1995]

yyes i caught that too.

[fiddlinmatt]

that would be a bend in the g string tone because of the weight/bow speed combination of his attack. But you probably knew that already. I like to think he probably did it on purpose to add to the "gypsy" feel of the piece. If he didn't then it still did, I think.

[Bbaranyi]

I guess this interpretation is the best from any of Zigeunerweisens......which is suprising because perlman and heifetz interpretations perfect also...........

[scottbos68]

kogan and rabin got it

heifetz was a little too clean for me

perlman didnt do quite so well

[jin12345678]

personally I like perlman's better than this one

[BarNuun]

First heard this, age 7, played by none other than Bugs Bunnie, or was it Daffy Duck? It was absolutely and impossibly perfect ... and so is this! Same person, I think. A wonderful choice, thank you.

[scottbos68]

greatest recorded violinist ever

[Caspakid]

Click the link to the video this one reply, and probably you change your mind

[scottbos68]

umm no

[KyotoMelody]

learn*

[KyotoMelody]

why I didnt see this video sooner...hmm... perhaps its now released! He started to learnt playing the violin when he was 9! Amazing!

[PlatypusofCalifornia]

That is shocking, I started at nine, I cannot even begin to compare myself with rabin.

It is a pity what happened to him, and the worst part is that we can't understand it.

[legman36]

IMHO, without belaboring the point, the best version I've ever heard - bar none! Thanks for posting this.